Newcastle star indicates Rafa Benitez was right to leave him out

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With such a big squad and Rafa Benitez having such a willingness to chop and change his team selection, it is often hard to tell if a player has actually been ‘dropped’.

In the case of Isaac Hayden, the player himself has indicated that this HAS been the case with him in recent weeks.

Hayden had started eight of Newcastle’s nine Championship matches and came on as a sub in the other at Derby County. However, after the draw at Aston Villa, the former Arsenal midfielder has been left out of the last couple.

Speaking ahead of the Brentford game, Isaac Hayden hints that this was the correct decision as he was ‘maybe a little tense in my game, putting too much pressure on myself’.

The player says that Rafa Benitez talked to him about the issue and helped him sort it out in his head, in what sounds like another great oiece oof man-management by the United boss.

A mature response as well from the midfielder which is great to see and I’m sure we will see a bounce back to his best form, after Isaac Hayden had maybe dipped in the last two Championship games he started against Wolves (2-0 defeat) and Aston Villa (1-1) draw.

“I think everyone is on board with what he wants going forward and everyone who is associated with the club needs to be pulling in the right direction, to get the club back to where it belongs in the Premier League.”

About the author

Jim Robertson

Staff Writer - We don't ask for much, a few decent players and some entertainment, plus a club that looks to do its best by everybody - including the fans.